Moe Wanchuk wrote:This is like the official HDTV thread in SLP VHS quality trying to use the tracking wheel to unscramble porn.

What's good for HT isn't for music listening.I have a Marantz 2270 with BSW speakers, a passive sub and a Sansui turntable I got from my uncle. That was audiophile back in the day. My HT is a Marantz 5006, Athena front towers, bookshelf surrounds, and a **** Polk 12" sub. For listening to music, the old 70's setup absolutely destroys my home theater. It's a one trick pony, but to me more people want every song ever written on their ipod, and compress the hell out of it. Sitting in a dark room and just listening to music is an afterthought now. That's a shame.

So you're telling me that the tracking wheel won't unscramble it?

There's a Denon 5.1 receiver on woot for 149 + ship. Its another "should I or shouldn't I" moment?

Help :shrug:

And yes, the compression/loudness war (as wiki has called it) has ruined a lot of music in the last 20 years.

LGs are pretty decent. Some have bluetooth connectivity, which makes playing from your smartphone easier. Sharp makes a pretty interesting looking one too.

Just out of curiosity, why are you considering a sound bar as opposed to other options?

Because I am extremley ignorant when it comes to home audio.

Thats ok, you have to start somewhere.

Soundbars are nice because they are so easy to set up. There are a few main options you will look for.

-Is the subwoofer wired to it or does it talk to the sound bar wirelessly? a wireless unit will let you stuff the sub in a corner more easily.-how many connections to your devices does it have and what are they? 1) the cheapest units have a headphone jack, just like your computer speakers. When I sold them to people I told them using that was the easiest way to connect it to your tv. All your devices plugged into the tv, and then a single wire to the sound bar2) a digital optical or coaxial input. many tv's have this output option. you could also connect your cable box or dvd player's audio to it instead of to your tv3) hdmi. this gives you more control options. you should be able to use your tv's remote to power it up and change the volume that way. to connect to your tv, one of your hdmi connections will have to support arc (it should be labled on the tv itself). if not you will have to connect to your audio source directly.

if simplicity is what you're looking for, you could even purchase an attractive pair of computer speakers and connect them the same way. thats what i do in my bedroom, though I wouldnt mind mounting a soundbar to my tv's wall mount.

LGs are pretty decent. Some have bluetooth connectivity, which makes playing from your smartphone easier. Sharp makes a pretty interesting looking one too.

Just out of curiosity, why are you considering a sound bar as opposed to other options?

Because I am extremley ignorant when it comes to home audio.

Thats ok, you have to start somewhere.

Soundbars are nice because they are so easy to set up. There are a few main options you will look for.

-Is the subwoofer wired to it or does it talk to the sound bar wirelessly? a wireless unit will let you stuff the sub in a corner more easily.-how many connections to your devices does it have and what are they? 1) the cheapest units have a headphone jack, just like your computer speakers. When I sold them to people I told them using that was the easiest way to connect it to your tv. All your devices plugged into the tv, and then a single wire to the sound bar2) a digital optical or coaxial input. many tv's have this output option. you could also connect your cable box or dvd player's audio to it instead of to your tv3) hdmi. this gives you more control options. you should be able to use your tv's remote to power it up and change the volume that way. to connect to your tv, one of your hdmi connections will have to support arc (it should be labled on the tv itself). if not you will have to connect to your audio source directly.

if simplicity is what you're looking for, you could even purchase an attractive pair of computer speakers and connect them the same way. thats what i do in my bedroom, though I wouldnt mind mounting a soundbar to my tv's wall mount.

I'm open for other options beside the soundbar, as long as it is wireless. Where the tv is in the living room is fairly isolated - between a doorway and the fireplace - so I don't want to run cables everywhere. I would be able to do the hdmi connection straight to the tv. The thing has like 4 hdmi ports, 1 of which is being used.

finally made the jump and bought a bluetooth portable speaker. i went with the jabra solemate over the the jambox as the price point was lower and it is much sturdier in terms of construction. i went to best buy and was fiddling with both of them and i worry the jambox would damage easily. solemate has performed well so far.

I'm installing new ceiling speakers at my in laws on their covered porch. The old speakers cutout size is 10.5" x 7". I was looking at Polk Audio RC55i and their cutout size is 9.63" x 6.25". Does anyone have any experience replacing in wall/ceiling speakers. Obviously those would fit in the already cut out hold, but will the difference in space make a difference? Other option is bumping up to the RC65i which has a cutout size of 10.88" x 7.38". That would require more cutting and the ceiling is very nicely finished planked boards and I'm not sure I want to screw around with more cutting....

I bought a pair of Audio Technica ATH-ES7's refurbished from JR's about 3-4 years ago for 60 dollars. They retailed for 150-200 and right now, b/c they're no longer made and there's still a demand for them, they're selling for 200-250 now. The cord on mine after years of falling asleep in them and rolling around and doing damage to it finally partially severed and I'm getting sound in both ears only when it's placed at an exact position. I called Audio Technica and asked if I could get it replaced and they gave me an estimate of 25 dollars plus shipping. I was so utterly thrilled. They could have easily said "we no longer service that product because it's not manufactured anymore" and attempted to force to me to buy another AT product. Instead, they're basically making them like new again for about 30 dollars. I know, cool story bro.

Letang Is The Truth wrote:finally made the jump and bought a bluetooth portable speaker. i went with the jabra solemate over the the jambox as the price point was lower and it is much sturdier in terms of construction. i went to best buy and was fiddling with both of them and i worry the jambox would damage easily. solemate has performed well so far.

I went to Best Buy and played with a few of these last night. I'd like to buy one before I go to Florida in a few weeks, but I'm having such an awful time swallowing the price. The best two I listened to were a JBL at $120 and a Sony at $130, and my $25 computer speakers still sound better than either of them.

Letang Is The Truth wrote:finally made the jump and bought a bluetooth portable speaker. i went with the jabra solemate over the the jambox as the price point was lower and it is much sturdier in terms of construction. i went to best buy and was fiddling with both of them and i worry the jambox would damage easily. solemate has performed well so far.

I went to Best Buy and played with a few of these last night. I'd like to buy one before I go to Florida in a few weeks, but I'm having such an awful time swallowing the price. The best two I listened to were a JBL at $120 and a Sony at $130, and my $25 computer speakers still sound better than either of them.

i dont mind it. i wish i would have waited until the new bose soundlink mini came out. i think its head and shoulders above the competition

I just keep it in my kitchen for while I'm cooking or while we're eating. I have zero complaints. The sound is good, the connection is easy. It's really nice too because I have it positioned where I can listen in the kitchen and my back deck, so while I'm cooking/grilling/just hanging out on the deck, it can be used for music. I think I got it cheaper than $60 too... was at walmart on sale for $40 or something like that.